Replace your lower column bearing: Better and Cheaper!!!

[72bluNblu]

ok...

I went our a bought the bearing (found a local source,$25).  Looks like it will fit the column ok, but it does not look like it will fit the shaft.

I measured both the bearing and the shaft, the inside diameter of the bearing - just less than an inch (0.998) and the shaft, just over an inch (1.003).

I am guessing I need to sand the paint of the shaft, and uhhh use a little force to get the bearing on?

I guess I thought it would just slide on?

Jason

Umm, you're talking about a .005" difference. If the shaft has paint on it, that's the problem. A little sandpaper and some elbow grease and you'll be in business. It's a tight fit, but it shouldn't need a press. I had to do a little clean up with some sandpaper too, only took 5 minutes.

[brads70]

Umm, you're talking about a .005" difference. If the shaft has paint on it, that's the problem. A little sandpaper and some elbow grease and you'll be in business. It's a tight fit, but it shouldn't need a press. I had to do a little clean up with some sandpaper too, only took 5 minutes.

  in addition that shaft I'll bet is not perfectly round either like the bearing is.

[CudamanTom]

I am guessing I need to sand the paint of the shaft, and uhhh use a little force to get the bearing on?

I guess I thought it would just slide on?

Jason

Jason,
The bearing will just slide on. BUT the shaft has to be clean of any rust, paint or burrs.
I made the mistake of painting the shaft first. Clean the shaft, slide the bearing in place. I painted the shaft after I installed the steering column.
Worked perfectly.

[CUDA JAS]

thanks guys.

I will keep sanding on the shaft and get it to fit.

I was just worried about taping on things, don't want to destroy the bearing or collapse the shaft...any further.

Jason

[CUDA JAS]

thanks guys.

I will keep sanding on the shaft and get it to fit.

I was just worried about taping on things, don't want to destroy the bearing or collapse the shaft...any further.

Jason

well, I may have got a little over zealous with my tapping, ok maybe I was more then tapping with my BFH.  I have the bearing just about where it needs to be...but the bearing is really tight, and does not turn very freely.     

[CUDA JAS]

oh and now I am concerned how I am going to get the lock plate on the shaft with the bearing in there...I think I am over thinking this....

 

[CudamanTom]

well, I may have got a little over zealous with my tapping, ok maybe I was more then tapping with my BFH.  I have the bearing just about where it needs to be...but the bearing is really tight, and does not turn very freely.   

Jason. So the outter part of the bearing doesn't turn freely?
If the bearing is tight on the shaft, that's fine and just what you want. But the outter part needs to turn fairly easy.

[CUDA JAS]

Jason. So the outter part of the bearing doesn't turn freely?
If the bearing is tight on the shaft, that's fine and just what you want. But the outter part needs to turn fairly easy.

Oh its tight on the shaft alright...but it also take a bit of force to turn the outer porting of the bearing now.


Jason

[CudamanTom]

Oh its tight on the shaft alright...but it also take a bit of force to turn the outer porting of the bearing now.
Jason

Hummm, you might have dinged it a little. I know I hit mine pretty good (my mistake) but seemed to rotate okay and checking for uneven movement. They seemed built pretty tough.
I guess it's what you feel is best.

[Topcat]

Before I put my bearing on, I took a Roloc fine grit on my pnuematic air tool and sanded it all over.

Then after that, I took a finer grit sand paper and sanded till it was smooth.
Slid the bearing on, and was done without any effort sliding it up into place.

[Topcat]

Did you hammer out the T end and try to slide it up?
Or are you trying to get the bearing to slide from top to down?

Top to down won't work. The shaft is thicker at the top area.
Ask me how I know. I ruined one trying that.

[CUDA JAS]

Did you hammer out the T end and try to slide it up?
Or are you trying to get the bearing to slide from top to down?

Top to down won't work. The shaft is thicker at the top area.
Ask me how I know. I ruined one trying that.

I was going from the top down.

Did you destroy the shaft of the bearing.

At this point, I think I am just going to cut the bearing off and start over...I am pretty sure I ruined the bearing.  There goes $25 down the toilet!!

Jason

[Topcat]

I was going from the top down.

Did you destroy the shaft of the bearing.

At this point, I think I am just going to cut the bearing off and start over...I am pretty sure I ruined the bearing.  There goes $25 down the toilet!!

Jason

Ended up getting another bearing.
Hammer out the T and do what I did with a roloc and sandpaper.

[CUDA JAS]

Ended up getting another bearing.
Hammer out the T and do what I did with a roloc and sandpaper.

How did you get the bearing off?

Jason

[Topcat]

Use a thick angle iron and a BFH.